WEEKLY REVIEW. Antirecessionary program fulfilled, President sets new goals
announced the completion of the Fund's crisis management functions.
According to the Premier, "anti-crisis functions of the fund were almost completed in 2010. A number of tasks, for instance, regarding the construction sector, should be finished in 2011."
K. Massimov urged to refine the Strategic Plan of the Fund Development till 2020.
The same day at the session of the board of the Kazakh Statistics Agency Prime Minister Karim Massimov charged to establish a unified database that includes information of different state bodies.
Besides, the Premier addressed the issues of providing social statistical data such as inflation rate in the regions. K.Massimov noted that some regional akimats withhold negative figures in some sectors. However, statistic departments must provide exact information while akimats should assist in it.
He noted that these data are necessary to take urgent measures in case of a slightest destabilization in any sector.
On Tuesday, January 25, the Cabinet held a sitting on the issues of implementation of the Joint Action Plan of the Government, National Bank and Financial Supervision Agency on stabilization of the country's economy and financial system in 2009-2010. "The total amount of funds allocated for realization of the anti-crisis measures made more than KZT 3 trillion," Karim Massimov said.
He reminded that the Government of Kazakhstan, the National Bank and Agency for Regulation and Supervision of Financial Market and Financial Institutions concentrated their activities on five directions. These are the stabilization of financial sector, settlement of problems at real estate market, support of small and medium businesses, development of agriculture, realization of innovation and industrial and infrastructure projects. Due to timeliness and effectiveness of the anti-crisis measures the Government managed to prevent economic recession in 2009 and provided stable growth in 2010. The GDP growth in 2009 made 1.2%, while in 2010 it was up to 7%. Industrial production increased by 10% in 2010".
Food market stability was maintained and the inflation was kept in the planned corridor of 6-8%. The unemployment rate fell to 5.5% in 2010 as compared to 6.3% in 2009.
Problems of 53 thousand home investors were solved. Construction of 58 residential estates with more than 13 home owners was completed. Over 10 thousand small and medium businesses received financial support from the state. Due to this more than 19 thousand new jobs were created. The number of functioning small and medium businesses increased in 2009 by 5.3 percent, in 2010 - by 1.3 percent.
With a view to import substitution and development of export-oriented productions about 60 investment projects to the amount of KZT 56.3 bln were approved to have been financed. 27 investment projects worth KZT 30.1 bln were put into service.
For the past two years KZT 342.7 bln was allocated within the Road Map for repair works and modernization of social and transport infrastructure and housing facilities. 392 thousand jobs were created.
Government anti-crisis efforts ensured preserving of economic growth potential of the country and social stability at large and laid the foundation for successful post-crisis development.
Duing the sitting Prime Minister Massimov charged the Ministry of Finance to submit a draft program on improvement of non-oil and gas sector enterprises to the Parliament.
Besides, the Head of the Government gave instructions to submit plans on rehabilitation and support of specific enterprises for consideration of the Single Coordination Council. K. Massimov also noted the necessity to consider in the near future the progress of implementation of Business Road Map-2020.
The same day the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Kazakhstan held a sitting of its board under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Karim Massimov. As the Head of the Government said, none of new enterprises will be approved without an appropriate ecological expertise. Besides, the Ministry of Environmental Protection suggested increasing the amount of taxes on effluents, pollution and other hazardous wastes.
On Wednesday, January 26, Minister of Transport and Communications of Kazakhstan Abelgazy Kussainov held a meeting on preparing transport for holding the 7th Asian Games. The participants focused their attention on strengthening security at transport especially taking into account a recent accident at the Domodedovo airport in Russia.
The Head of the Ministry of Transport and Communications noted that thanks to the OSCE Summit held in Astana on December 1-2 airports and railway stations of Astana and Almaty are absolutely ready for such an event.
On Thursday, January 27, the meeting of the Exporters' Council under the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Kazakhstan took place in Astana. Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev announced that Kazakhstan planned to expand export to China. 'Today we would like to consider our trading strategy with China especially regarding Kazakh export issues. We would like to share the views with you and know about your plans to coordinate our future work with China', A. Issekeshev said addressing the entrepreneurs. In 2010 the export of Kazakhstan to China exceeded USD 9 bln.
At the joint sitting of the Majilis and Senate held on Friday, January 28, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivered his State-of-the-Nation Address. President Nazarbayev instructed the Government and local executive bodies to work out a package of measures for rural entrepreneurship development. He urged the Government together with akims of the regions to work out and approve a program on development of the regions. Besides, the President noted the importance of developing and adopting a comprehensive energy efficiency plan.